Changing the narrative: All-In Milwaukee celebrates first-ever graduating class
Backed by the business community and supported by AIM’s holistic approach, diverse students from limited-income backgrounds are graduating largely without debt — and staying in MKE to start careers.
As 29 diverse Milwaukee students with limited financial resources walk across the stage to receive their diplomas at Wisconsin universities this spring, they become part of the first-ever group of All-In Milwaukee (AIM) college graduates. They’re also beating the odds, beginning a narrative shift and becoming part of an effort to prevent “brain drain” in Milwaukee.
All-In Milwaukee is a college completion program that supports high-potential, limited-income, diverse students from the Milwaukee Region who attend college at one of eight Wisconsin university partners.
Overall, only 14% of Milwaukee high school graduates will go on to earn a two-year or four-year degree within six years. But with financial, academic, social, cultural and career development guidance from All-In Milwaukee, students are redefining what’s possible with the right support: From an initial cohort of 41 AIM students who started college four years ago, 29 are graduating this spring and another eight are expected to graduate in the upcoming year — a 90% graduation rate in four or five years.
“We’re so proud of the students who are achieving this remarkable life milestone, especially when statistics tell us the odds are greatly stacked against them,” said Allison Wagner, Executive Director of All-In Milwaukee. “Their success shows having access to the right kind of support may be the most decisive factor in helping low-income, diverse students graduate college and realize the increased earning power that comes with a college degree. At All-In Milwaukee, we’re proud to provide support for a growing number of Milwaukee students.”
Of this year’s AIM graduates, 80% are projected to have zero college debt, achieved through AIM’s scholarship and strategic negotiations with each of the eight university partners who provide unique financial aid packages. Additionally, AIM helps connect scholars with paid internships during their college careers. The remaining students will graduate with well below average levels of debt.
All of this year’s graduating scholars either have accepted full-time jobs with Milwaukee-area employers or are continuing their education by starting a post-graduate degree. Between employment opportunities and post-graduate enrollment, 97% of this year’s class is staying in Wisconsin.
“The program is doing what it says it’s doing,” said Lizzy Ibitoye, a May 2023 Marquette graduate who has accepted a full-time job at Froedtert Health and eventually plans to attend medical school. “We are getting connected, academically and professionally, for success. And I know I’m an example of that. I have peers that are examples of that. I think the program is important to the success of our city, of the upcoming generation being able to make a significant difference here. Because Milwaukee needs it.”
Why the All-In Milwaukee model works
With significant financial support and career development connections from Milwaukee-area employers and business community leaders, AIM currently is supporting a total of 415 students at its eight university partners. AIM recently named 125 new scholars to its next class, which will start school in the fall.
College readiness programs and financial aid are important for limited-income students, but getting into college is just a start. Completing college is the real goal.
When only 12% of limited-income students who start college will earn a degree nationally, that means 88% who don’t make it to graduation will not only miss out on the additional earning power that comes with a degree, but also may still have loans to pay off. Given the increasing cost of college, this debt can follow them for life. The promise of college becomes a trap, making the dream of true social mobility all but impossible.
Based on a proven model originally developed in Minneapolis, All-In Milwaukee starts by making sure students can pay for college through scholarships and AIM-provided financial support. But money alone is not enough to break longstanding cycles. AIM also provides academic, social, emotional, cultural and career development support for students, provided by professional scholar advisors who work full-time for All-In Milwaukee.
Each All-In Milwaukee Scholar Advisor supports 70 students on topics such as managing the summer transition from high school to college, student housing, financial aid, course enrollment, planning for majors, extracurricular engagement, career development, graduate school applications and job placement. Advisors also support scholars on a wide range of social and emotional issues, including cultural integration, personal budgeting, time management, stress reduction and mental health.
Advising sessions are one-on-one, but All-In Milwaukee also hosts sessions for student cohorts at each university partner and for the overall cohort. These social events are designed to create connections and build affinity among All-In Milwaukee students.
This support is critical, given that 90% of AIM scholars are first-generation college students and cannot necessarily rely on family advice to help them learn how to navigate the system.
Building Milwaukee’s future work force
Beyond improving outcomes for students, AIM’s ultimate goal is to fight “brain drain” in Milwaukee by sending All-In Milwaukee scholars to Wisconsin universities, then providing connections with local employers and business leaders to encourage them to stay here after graduation to build meaningful careers and become our future civic leaders.
University partners include Alverno College, Carroll University, Marquette University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Whitewater and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
AIM partners with local employers to place scholars in internships and full-time jobs. Local employers who are hiring All-In Milwaukee graduates this year include Accenture, Amazon, Baird, Children’s Wisconsin, Direct Supply, Froedert, Johnson Controls Inc., Northwestern Mutual and Versiti.
“With this program, Milwaukee is going to be stronger, better and brighter,” said Mary Ellen Stanek, President of Baird Funds, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Baird Advisors and an All-In Milwaukee Board member. “All-In Milwaukee connects the dots between formal education to workforce development. That’s why Scott and I got behind this initiative and these students from the beginning, and our family is supporting a scholar in every All-In Milwaukee class. Baird has also invested in the All-In scholars from the beginning, and we’re thrilled to have three fulltime hires from the first graduating class of All-In Milwaukee joining us this summer.”
Keeping Milwaukee’s best and brightest students here is critical to the future of our entire region. As shifting demographics result in an aging population in Wisconsin and Milwaukee, we can’t afford to let any students slip through the cracks.
“I am passionate about the work that All-In is doing to build a foundation for limited income, high-potential students to overcome the roadblocks to college completion,” said Olivier Leonetti, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Johnson Controls and an All-In Milwaukee Board member. “All-In Milwaukee has ensured 91% of scholars persist through college to graduation. It is an incredible feat! 90% of the scholars in the program are like me: the first in their family to go to college. I know first-hand of the many academic, economic and cultural challenges that these students have to overcome to complete college. Johnson Controls is committed to partnering with All-In Milwaukee to build the professional workforce and leaders of Milwaukee.”
Just getting started
Many more All-In Milwaukee graduates are on the way in coming years. For the 415 scholars AIM currently is supporting at the eight partner universities, including the recently announced incoming class of 125 students who will begin college in the fall, the need is great – and the opportunity is even greater.
- All AIM students are from limited-income backgrounds, with an average family taxable income of $38,000 per year.
- 99% of All-In Milwaukee scholars are students of color.
- 90% are first-generation college students.
- To date, All-In Milwaukee scholars have a 91% overall persistence to graduation rate and 90% have no debt.
- More than 115 scholars have summer internships for career development during the summer of 2023.
- Largest university participants are Marquette (155 students), UW-Madison (127) and UW-Milwaukee (53)
Over five years, All-In Milwaukee has received approximately 1,400 applications, leaving nearly 1,000 students on the waitlist. With additional support, All-In Milwaukee can help even more students achieve their dream of a college diploma. To find out more about how you can support All-In Milwaukee, or the application process for students, visit allinmilwaukee.org.